CVE-2007-2066 in UseBB
Summary
by MITRE
UseBB before 1.0.6 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request with unspecified GET or POST parameters to an unspecified script, which reveals the path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2066 represents a classic information disclosure flaw within the UseBB forum software ecosystem. This issue affects versions prior to 1.0.6 and demonstrates how seemingly innocuous parameter handling can expose critical system information to remote attackers. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker sends crafted GET or POST requests to an unspecified script within the application, resulting in the exposure of sensitive path information through error messages. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities fall under the broader category of CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of system information through error messages that reveal internal paths, filenames, or other system details.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the application's inadequate error handling mechanisms and lack of proper input validation. When the UseBB application processes requests containing unspecified parameters, it fails to sanitize or properly validate the input before attempting to process it. This deficiency allows the application to generate error messages that inadvertently reveal the absolute file paths on the server where the application is installed. The error messages typically contain stack traces or system-specific information that can be leveraged by attackers to gain insights into the server environment, including directory structures and potentially sensitive file locations. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under the ATT&CK technique T1212, which focuses on exploitation for credential access through the disclosure of system information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information gathering, as the disclosed path information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the revealed paths to understand the application's directory structure, potentially identifying other files that might contain sensitive information or configuration details. The exposure of system paths can also aid in bypassing security controls or identifying other vulnerabilities that might exist within the same application or server environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can send requests to the affected system.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching to version 1.0.6 or later where the issue has been resolved. Additionally, proper error handling should be implemented throughout the application to ensure that error messages do not contain sensitive system information. This includes configuring the web server and application to suppress detailed error messages in production environments, implementing custom error pages that do not reveal internal system details, and ensuring that all input parameters are properly validated before processing. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and testing the application's error handling mechanisms to verify that no other paths exist where sensitive information might be disclosed through error messages or other application feedback mechanisms.